Shaliza Dhami is the first woman pilot in the Indian Air Force to lead a frontline combat missile squadron, starting in March 2023. |
During her B.Tech studies at Khalsa College for Women, Shaliza joined the National Cadet Corps’ air wing where she learned to fly a glider at training camps. |
In school, Shaliza enjoyed playing hockey, dancing, and painting. |
Shaliza's father chose to enroll her in a government school to avoid her feeling inadequate compared to wealthier classmates who arrived in luxury cars. |
After completing her engineering degree, Shaliza entered the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Telangana. |
During her academy training, Shaliza flew solo in a trainer aircraft called HAL HPT-32 Deepak. |
She became a flying officer in the helicopter division of the Indian Air Force on 20 December 2003. |
Upon reaching the rank of wing commander, Shaliza attended a flight instructor's course in Chennai and was the first woman officer to complete it. |
In August 2019, Shaliza was appointed as a flight commander of a squadron of Chetak helicopters at Hindon Air Force Base. |
Shaliza was later stationed at an Indian Air Force headquarters near the Line of Control. |
In March 2023, Shaliza took command of an IAF missile squadron near the Line of Control, making her the first female pilot to lead a frontline combat unit. |
She has accumulated over 2,800 flying hours as of March 2023. |